Pilot lampholder and dial assembly

ABSTRACT

A dial plate for a stereo amplifier carries one or more small diameter holes which receive an axially projecting lightconducting pin which extends from a light-transmitting bracket at the end of a cylindrical lampholder with the pin mechanically coupling the lampholder to the dial.

United States Patent [7 2] Inventor Ryoya Matsushima 56] ReferencesCited 21 A N ggs g g UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 P 2,804,607 8/1957Nalle,Jr. 340/381 [22] Sept 1969 2 830 172 4/1958 5 340/381 [45]Patented Dec. 28, 1971 tetson [73] Assignee Pioneer Electric CorporationPrimary Examiner-Richard Murray Tokyo, Japan Attorney-Sughrue, Rothwell,Mion, Zinn & Macpeak [54] PILOT LAMPHOLDER AND DIAL ASSEMBLY ABSTRACT: Adial plate for a stereo amplifier carries one or 7 Claims, 6 DrawingFigs. more small diameter holes which receive an axially projectinglight-conducting pin which extends from a light-transmitting U. [52] S340/381 bracket at the end of a cylindrical lampholder with the pm [51]608D 5/36 mechanical co fin the lam holder to the dial 501 340/381 y p gp la-g i E A L 5 i i AK I y c N l I I I I Patented Dec. 28, 19713,631,477

5 1 A W I 3 I l /5b 4 2 l4 9 3 E ([Sd [18a INVENTOR RYOYA MATSUSHIMA W,mw ww ATTORNEY 5'.

PILOT LAMPI-IOLDER AND DIAL ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.Field of the Invention This invention relates to lampholders for pilotlamps providing an illuminated spot on a stereo amplifier dial or thelike and more particularly to a simplified lampholder to facilitate thisend.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is conventional to illuminate one ormore localized areas of a stereo amplifier dial plate or provide lightedindicators indicating the mode of operation of the stereo amplifier,that is, whether the stereo is operating in phonograph mode, FM mode, AMmode, or the like. It is conventional to selectively illuminate aplurality of pilot lamps to provide a light on the dial or the likeindicative of operation of a particular mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a stereoamplifier having a fixed dial plate or other planar surface on theamplifier casing, which planar surface carries a plurality of spaced,small diameter holes. A pilot lampholder of cylindrical form is providedwith a light-transmitting end and has an axially protected pin or noseof a like diameter to the opening on the stereo amplifier planar memberand projects therein. The projecting pin is illuminated to indicate themode of operation and readily supports the lampholder, since it operatesas a support bracket. Preferably, the lampholder comprises a cylindricalcasing whose light-transmitting end constitutes a disclike bracket ofcolored plastic or the like, formed with an axially projecting pin ornose. Further, the cylindrical casing may carry a longitudinal slotparallel to its axis and an L-shaped auxiliary mounting bracket may becoupled to the rear of the planar member with one arm of the L-shapedauxiliary mounting bracket received within the longitudinal slot of thecasing to assist the light-transmitting projecting pin in supporting thelampholder on the rear of the planar member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of oneembodiment of the improved pilot lampholder in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, in section, of the pilot lampholderof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the disc-shaped bracketforming part ofthe lampholder of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a stereo amplifier employing the improvedpilot lampholder of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the pilot lamp mounting plate ofthe amplifier of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the amplifier mounting plate with the improvedpilot lampholder of the present invention coupled thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, acasing 1 is formed of opaque, heat-resisting synthetic resin and iscylindrical in form. Within the cylindrical casing 1, and specificallybore 3, a pilot lamp 2 is positioned while bore 3 is counterbored at 6at the forward end and receives a cup-shaped bracket 5 with its innerend abutting shoulder or step 4 just in front of bore 3. The roots oftenninals 7 and 7 are embedded in the rear wall of easing 1 and the rearwall is provided with holes and 10' through which extend lead wires 9and 9', respectively, of pilot lamp 2. The lead wires 9 and 9 areseparated by a tapering separating wall 8 located between terminals 7and 7'. Preferably, the lead wires 9 and 9' pierce the holes 10 and 10'such that the pilot lamp 2 is positioned within the casing prior toembedding the roots of terminals 7 and 7' into the rear end thereof.Thus, the head end of the lamp may be set perfectly with respect to thecasing 1 before the lead wires 9 and 9' are soldered to respectiveterminals 7 and 7' as shown.

The cup-shaped bracket 5 isformed of synthetic resin of generallytransparent material such that the space 5b is surrounded by anenvironmental wall 5a extending rearwardly and a pilot nose 50 or pinextends forwardly at the front thereof. A stereo amplifier 16 or thelike is provided with an indicating window 17 such that an indicatingplate 11 is visible from the front of the stereo amplifier. Thecylindrical casing l is modified to form a holder portion 14 carrying alongitudinally extending mounting hole 13, the holder portion beingintegral with the cylindrical casing. The holder portion facilitatesmounting of the casing 1 to the indicating plate 11. As viewed in FIG.6, L-shaped mounting members or auxiliary brackets 12 project from therear of indicating plate 11 with the rearwardly projecting arms of theseauxiliary mounting brackets being received within the longitudinallyextending opening 13 formed within the casing holder portion 14.

Thus, the pilot nose or pin 5c is inserted into the pilot holes 15provided at spaced transverse locations within the indicating plate 11.Casing l is tightly coupled to the indicator plate 11 at two locations,one involving the mounting hole or opening 13 which receives the arm ofthe L-shaped mounting member or bracket 12, and the coupling existingbetween a given pilot hole 15 and the bracket nose or pin 5:. Thebrackets 5 may be transparent or variously colored or tintedappropriately with a combination of variously colored brackets beingemployed in accordance with indicating objects. Light emitted from thepilot lamp 2 is therefore visible at the end of the pilot nose or pin5c. Hence, it is possible to obtain a desired color by merely changingthe cup-shaped bracket 5 Referring to FIG. 4, only the tips of the pilotnoses or pins 50 extending through the holes 18 are visible at thevarious locations identified in FIG. 4 as 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, and 18a,which may indicate, in colors, modes phono, FM, AM, SW,, and SW by red,green, blue, purple, and bitter orange, respectively, from left toright, insofar as indicating window 17 is concemed.

As described above, the present invention is characterized by formingintegrally, three elements, that is, a socket, an auxiliary support orholder, and the opaque member used to mount the customary pilot light.Hence, it is possible to make the same as a miniature with ease inmanufacturing and at low cost. Moreover, mounting of the pilotlampholder, maintenance and inspection, is achieved easily and it isreadily possible to change the tone or color of the individual pilotlamp assembly by merely changing the bracket 5 with its lightconductingprojecting pin 50. During mounting of the lampholder to the aperturedplanar support plate, there is no necessity to employ screws or the liketo couple the holder to the plate. Further, a fixed condition ismaintained since the casing is held onto the plate in two locationsthrough the employment of the L-shaped auxiliary brackets 12 and thepilot nose of the light-conducting bracket 5.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved pilot lampholder adapted to be mounted on one side of aplanar support in the form of an indicating plate having an openingtherein which extends through said plate, said lampholder comprising ahollow casing supporting a pilot lamp, a cup-shaped bracket formed oflight-transmitting material removably mounted within and closing one endof said casing, and a light-transmitting pin formed integrally with saidbracket and projecting outwardly therefrom, said pin being adapted to bereceived within said opening in said planar support when said holder ismounted thereon, whereby illumination by said lamp may be readilyindicated by the face of said projecting pin on the side of saidindicating plate opposite to said one side on which said lampholdercasing is adapted to be mounted.

2. The improved pilot lampholder of claim I wherein said casing includesa longitudinal slot projecting rearwardly from the forward end thereof,said slot being adapted to receive a rearwardly projecting member of anauxiliary mounting bracket on said planar support for coupling saidlampholder and casing to said planar support along with said projectingpin.

3. An indicator assembly comprising:

a. an indicating plate having at least one small diameter openingextending therethrough and an L-shaped bracket with one leg secured tosaid plate and the other leg projecting from the rear thereof,

b. a pilot lampholder including an apertured portion adapted to receivesaid other leg of said L-shaped bracket to support said lampholder onthe rear side of said indicating plate,

c. a pilot lamp carried by said pilot lampholder, and

d. a cup-shaped bracket made of transparent material removably mountedin the forward end of said pilot lampholder, said cup-shaped brackethaving an outwardly projecting small diameter transparent pin portionadapted to extend into said small diameter opening in said indicatingplate so as to be visible from the front side thereof.

4. The indicator assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein said pilotlampholder includes an inwardly tapered separating wall at the rear endthereof for guiding lead wires of the pilot lamp to terminals mountedonsaid holder.

5. The indicator assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein said pilotlampholder is cylindrical.

6. The indicator assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said aperturedholder portion comprises a slot at the forward end of said pilotlampholder adapted to slidably receive said othe leg of said L-shapedbracket.

7. The indicator assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said pilotlampholder is integrally formed of opaque material, and said bracket andpin are integrally formed of plastic material.

* t t t

1. An improved pilot lampholder adapted to be mounted on one side of aplanar support in the form of an indicating plate having an openingtherein which extends through said plate, said lampholder comprising ahollow casing supporting a pilot lamp, a cup-shaped bracket formed oflight-transmitting materIal removably mounted within and closing one endof said casing, and a light-transmitting pin formed integrally with saidbracket and projecting outwardly therefrom, said pin being adapted to bereceived within said opening in said planar support when said holder ismounted thereon, whereby illumination by said lamp may be readilyindicated by the face of said projecting pin on the side of saidindicating plate opposite to said one side on which said lampholdercasing is adapted to be mounted.
 2. The improved pilot lampholder ofclaim 1 wherein said casing includes a longitudinal slot projectingrearwardly from the forward end thereof, said slot being adapted toreceive a rearwardly projecting member of an auxiliary mounting bracketon said planar support for coupling said lampholder and casing to saidplanar support along with said projecting pin.
 3. An indicator assemblycomprising: a. an indicating plate having at least one small diameteropening extending therethrough and an L-shaped bracket with one legsecured to said plate and the other leg projecting from the rearthereof, b. a pilot lampholder including an apertured portion adapted toreceive said other leg of said L-shaped bracket to support saidlampholder on the rear side of said indicating plate, c. a pilot lampcarried by said pilot lampholder, and d. a cup-shaped bracket made oftransparent material removably mounted in the forward end of said pilotlampholder, said cup-shaped bracket having an outwardly projecting smalldiameter transparent pin portion adapted to extend into said smalldiameter opening in said indicating plate so as to be visible from thefront side thereof.
 4. The indicator assembly as claimed in claim 3wherein said pilot lampholder includes an inwardly tapered separatingwall at the rear end thereof for guiding lead wires of the pilot lamp toterminals mounted on said holder.
 5. The indicator assembly as claimedin claim 3 wherein said pilot lampholder is cylindrical.
 6. Theindicator assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said apertured holderportion comprises a slot at the forward end of said pilot lampholderadapted to slidably receive said other leg of said L-shaped bracket. 7.The indicator assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said pilotlampholder is integrally formed of opaque material, and said bracket andpin are integrally formed of plastic material.